There are around 40,000 cases of shingles per year in Austria, and the risk of developing the disease increases sharply from the age of 50. The varicella-zoster virus, which is responsible for outbreaks of wet leaves (chickenpox) in children, lies dormant in almost all of us. Due to age, illness or certain therapies, it can break out again as shingles (herpes zoster), often painful and lengthy. Therefore, the herpes zoster vaccination is recommended for everyone over 50.
According to the Austrian Association of Vaccine Manufacturers (ÖVIH), one in three suffers from shingles in the course of their lives. Herpes zoster most commonly develops on the chest and abdomen, but it can also break out on the arm, thigh, or head. It is usually a very painful nerve inflammation, which is usually accompanied by a one-sided blister rash. “Shingles is one of the most painful diseases of all,” reported infectiologist Ursula Hollenstein.
“Plus, shingles can lead to some very serious complications,” she said. If the rash affects the area around the eye, severe damage to the eye is possible. Especially in immunocompromised or very old people, the rash is sometimes very extensive and can also be bacterially superinfected. However, severe pain lasting months (post-herpetic neuralgia), which is difficult to treat and can result in a massive reduction in quality of life, is particularly feared.
“Fortunately, nowadays you can save yourself the pain and possible long-term consequences of shingles by getting vaccinated,” emphasized Hollenstein. According to the Austrian vaccination plan, vaccination against shingles is recommended for everyone over the age of 50 and for those over 18 who are at particularly high risk of shingles – especially for people who are immunosuppressed. Further advice is available from the general practitioner and in pharmacies. In general, it is advisable to use every doctor’s consultation to have the vaccination status checked and, if necessary, to catch up on one or the other vaccination, the ÖVIH recommended.